Biotechnology Program - UC Berkeley

Diverse Discovery! Activities and sights to suit every interest await in the vibrant surroundings:

• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Lawn games, and more.

Experience the true first-year students lifestyle on UC Berkeley campus!

• Share a gender-segregated dorm room without A/C, accommodating two to four students, in the iconic Unit 1 or Unit 2 Residence Halls.

• Rooms contain an extra-long twin size bed, desks, drawers, mirror and a closet.

• Bed sheets and linens will be provided (but extra blankets and towels are recommended).

• Shared common bathrooms, just like first-year college students.

• 24-hour security and electronic keys to enter each building and dorm room.

• Enjoy meals at the bustling Crossroads Dining Hall or explore local Berkeley eateries.

• Catering to most dietary needs, ensuring everyone has delicious and healthy meal choices.

• Bay Area Exploration: Discover attractions like the Exploratorium and Chabot Space & Science Center, including the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
• Cultural Richness: Embrace the history, sights, parks, and famous landmarks the Bay Area has to offer.
• Berkeley Arts & Culture: Dive into the arts and culture scene with UC Berkeley's vibrant community offerings, including parks, stages, and renowned restaurants.
• California's Great America: A 100-acre amusement park with famous attractions, including the celebrated Gold Striker roller coaster.
• San Francisco Scavenger Hunt: Discover San Francisco's famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf through an interactive scavenger hunt.

Educational Excursions:

• Conduct daily classes in a biotechnology lab.
• In San Diego, past visits include JLabs, Calibr, Bio Tech & Beyond, and other incubators.
• Visit top biotech companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific.
• Explore research labs such as the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI).

• Group airport transfers: $95 each way.

• Transfers outside of the official group pick-up and drop-off time window: $195 each way

• Unaccompanied minor transportation: $145 total each way

Arrivals During Flight Window:

• Greeted by campus staff.

• Stay at the airport with staff until the flight window closes and all students have arrived.

• Transported to campus after the flight window ends.

• No immediate meeting by staff; must wait for the official arrival window.

• For late arrivals(within reason), for those that pay a transfer fee will be met at the airport.

General Departure Information:

• Students who opt for departure transfer (with a $95 fee) will arrive at the airport at maximum 10:00am.

• Suitable for flights departing at 12:00pm or later.

• With additional fee, there might be service for flights departing before 12:00pm.

Program Overview:

• Uncover the secrets hidden beneath the soil under our feet and explore the study of microbiology.
• Learn how to isolate and test for the potential to yield the next generation of antibiotics.
• Discover the incredible power to modify DNA within genomes and witness its transformational impact.
• Utilize sophisticated lab tools, from pipettes to gene-editing technology, as you dive deep into the art of scientific discovery.

Course Schedule:

• First week: Five 3-hour classes, 9am-12pm, Monday to Friday
• Second week: Four 3-hour classes, 9am-12pm, Monday to Thursday
• Wednesday afternoons of each week are dedicated to students' coursespecific academic excursion, guest speaker, or activity.

Luis Valentin Alvarado - PhD candidate in Microbiology at UC Berkeley:

• Has a BS in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao.

• Former Research Assistant at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and MIT.

• Presently a Ph.D. candidate at UC Berkeley in Microbial Biology and Innovative Genomics.

• His research includes reconstructing genomes to explore unknown microbes and their biotechnological applications.

• Focuses on structural biology and genomics to study microbial metabolism and discover new biotech tools.

• Airport Shuttle service: $95 (Each way)

• Registration fee: $99

• Pocket Money: We suggest an extra $100 per week.

Criteria for Admission:

• Vaccination Requirements: May be necessary for in-person programs, depending on university policies.

• Academic requirements:

  • For students entering grades 9-12

  • A grade point average of 3.0 (or equivalent)

• English Proficiency for International Students: Telephone interview or minimum test scores:

  • TOEFL: 490 (paper) or 60 (iBT).

  • Cambridge: PET-Distinction or FCE-C.

  • SAT: 450 in Reading/Writing.

• Decisions are emailed within 7 to 10 business days after application review.